Automatic switch.



PATENTED NOV. 1.7, 1903.

J. M. GOMER. AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

I INVENTOR.

jarga MJb/Wf' B) r WITNESSES.-

ATTORNEY.

and in like section.

' NITED STATES Patented November 1'7, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,168, dated November17, 1903.

' Application filed March 30, 1903. Serial No. 150,343. (No model.)

To whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH MARION COMER, a citizen of the United Statesof America, and aresident of the city of Spokane, in the county ofSpokane and State of Washington, have invented certain newand usefulImprovements in Automatic Switches, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in means for automaticallyoperating the tongue of a railway-track switch, and while it is designedespecially for electric and horse car service it is applicable to otherforms of track.

Among numerous objects attained by this invention and readily understoodfrom the following specification and accompanying drawings included as apart thereof is the production of simple and inexpensive switchoperatingmechanism embodying essential features of adaptability, utility, andgeneral efficiency which allows the several parts to be compactlyassembled and insures positive action of the apparatus to adjust theswitch.

The above-mentioned and numerous other objects equally as desirable areattained by the constructions, combinations,and arrangement of parts asdisclosed on the drawings, set forth in this specification, andsuccinctly pointed out in appended claims.

With reference to the drawings filed herewith and bearing like referencecharacters for corresponding parts throughout, Figure 1 is a side view,in vertical section, of a portion of a track-bed, taken longitudinallythe track at a switch and indicates'my improved switch-operatingmechanism in relative position and the casing therefor in like sectionon line 1 1 of Fig. 2 and viewed as the arrows fly. Fig. 2 is a verticaltransverse section of the casing, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1,disclosing the contained mechanism and a portion of the track-shown inrelative position Fig. 3 is a view in plan of the pedal adapted foroperating the switch mechanism mechanically and indicates parts of theguide-rail for the pedal-operating device. Fig. 4 is a plan view of aportion of a track-switch, showing the tongue of the switch and a partof the tongue-adjusting mechanism; and Fig. 5' is 'a view in plan of aportion of a track at-a switch and indicates the improvedswitch-throwing apparatus in place.

Referring to the drawings, reference character 10 indicates the mainrail of a track, 11 a branch rail, and 12 the switch-tongue, the latterbeing mounted for pivotal movement in any suitable manner and preferablyformed with a laterally-projecting horizontal arm, as 14, fixedlyconnected thereto at the pivot.

The mechanism for moving the switchtongue on its mounting constitutesthe essence of this invention and includes a crank, as 15, whichincludes a vertically-disposed shaft'16, to which the crank proper isfixed and which is suitably journaled in a casing or box 18, adapted toinclose the greater part of the mechanism. This box is suitably disposedbeneath the surface of the track-bed with the crank 15 adjacent the endof the arm 14. and operably connected thereto by a rod, as 17, one endof which is pivoted on the pin of said crank and the opposite endextends loosely through a suitable transversely-disposed aperture formedin a downwardly-projecting lug, as 19, which is suitably pivotallymounted on said arm and projects into box 18 through a suitable apertureformed in the top wall. The rod is yieldingly operatively connected tosaid lug by means of oppositely disposed open coiled springs, as 20,which are set about said rod and confined against the lug by respectiveadjustable nuts, as 21, having screw-threaded engagement with said rod,so that the tension of respective springs can be adjusted at will. Thesesprings are adapted to yieldinglyconnect said rod to the switch-tongue;so should any obstruction, as dirt or the like, accumulate betweeneither side of the tongue and adjacent rail the 'rod can be movedagainst spring action, and thereby allow the crank 15 to be operatedirrespectively of the blocking of the switch. As now considered crank 15is operatively connected, through the medium of a pawl-and-ratchetcontrivance, with a suitable pedal, as 22, which is mounted in thetrack-bed forwardly of the switch in any suitable manner and preferablycomprises a pressure-plate, as 23, mounted on the free end of one arm ofa suitable bell-crank 24, which is mounted on a pivot 25, supported inany suitable manner. This crank 15 is operably coupled to thepawland-ratchet contrivance by means of a pair of bevel-gears, thepinion 26 of which is secured to the lower end of shaft 16, and thewheel 27 is fixedly. mounted on a horizontally-disposed drive-shaft 28,journaled in casing 18 and also carrying a ratchet-wheel 29, fixedthereto, and a pawl 30 is pivotally mounted on a reciprocalpawl-carrier, as an elbow-crank 31, which is pivoted on said drive-shaftwith one arm hanging pendent and the said pawl mounted on the free endof the other arm in operative relations to said ratchet. In the presentembodiment pawlcarrier 31 is operatively connected to one arm of anangle-lever, as 32, by a connectingbar, as 33, which is pivoted at oneend to the pending arm of said carrier and at the opposite end to thepending arm of said lever,

which is pivotally mounted on a suitable bracket, as 34, fixed to casing18, with the other arm extending inwardly, and this angle-lever isnormally yieldingly held in retracted position by a suitable spring orthe like, as 35.

The pedal-crank 24 and angle-lever 32 are operativelyconnected with eachother through the medium of an intermediate bell-crank 36, pivotallymounted in the case 11 opposite said lever, with one arm extendingupwardly and the free end of the other arm lying over the free end ofthe horizontally-disposed arm of said lever, a connecting-rod 37,pivoted to said pedal-crank and said upwardly-extending arm of theintermediate crank, and a link 38, pivotally connected to thehorizontallydisposed arms of the angle-lever and intermediatebell-crank, whereby said pedal is normally yieldingly held in raisedposition by spring 35 and when depressed serves to swing thepawl-carrier and thereby turns the drive-shaft a predetermined part of arotation, which causes the bevel-gears to operate crank 15 and swing theswitch-tongue through the medium of rod 17. When the pedal is released,spring 35 acts to return same with the intermediate connecting parts tonormal position, while the drive-shaft, crank 15, and switch-tongue restuntil again operated by a following depressions of the pedal. As nowconsidered this pedal is mounted in line with the tread of a suitableguide-rail, as 9, sections of which are disposed at each side of thepedal, Fig. 3, parallel to the track-rails, and this guide-rail servesas a guide for a suitable pedal-operating device (not shown) mounted onthe car and preferably consisting of a suitable roller arranged on asuitable reciprocal carrier operatively mounted on the car, so that theroller can be brought to bear upon the guiderail and serve to depressthe pedal 23 as the car travels over same.

In the present instance a suitable operative detent or stop, as 39, isemployed to regulate the movement of the drive-shaft, and this stop issecured to the downwardly-extending end of link 38 and comprises a rodextended to a point beneath the wheel 27 and having alaterally-projecting foot 40 extending across the periphery of saidwheel, in which periphery suitable cavities or notches are formed atequally-spaced points to receive said foot when the stop is lifted, andthereby check the wheel, and this foot is suitably guided by a pairofbars, as 41, between which it slides to and from engagement with thewheel.

In the present embodiment this switchthrowing mechanism is arranged foractuation by electricity, which is conveniently applied through themedium of an electromagnet, as 42, suitablydisposed to attract one ofthe reciprocal parts of the switch-throwing,

mechanism, and as now considered preferably arranged in a suitableposition to actuate the pedal 22, and thereby operate the switch. As nowconsidered a suitable armature, as 43, is arranged on the free end ofthe depending arm of the bell-crank 24 of the pedal, and theelectromagnet 42 is arranged in operative relation thereto, so that whenenergized it will influence the armature, and thereby cause it to movethe bell-crank against action of spring 35. This electromagnet ispreferably electrically connected to the rails of the track when thedevice is used on electric roads, so that the electric current whichdrives the cars can be utilized to energize the magnet, and as nowconsidered suitable sections of oppositely-disposed rails, as 10, of thetrack which lie forward of the switch are insulated, and electricconductors, as wires 45, are connected to these rail-sections and to theelectromagnet, and electric conductors, as wires 46, are connected tothe rails of the track beyond the switch and to the electromagnet.

Granted construction and installation of this device in an electric roadsubstantially as heretofore set forth an operation thereof to throw theswitch by the application of an electric current would occursubstantially as follows: As the electric car is approaching the switchfrom the right of Fig. 5 and it is desired to shift the tongue of theswitch from the position shown in Fig. 4, for instance, the motormanallows the car to pass over the rail-sections 10 with the electriccurrent turned on, and the electroinagnet is thereby energized by thecurrent passing from the car through these rails and the wires 45, whenit will attract the armature on bell-crank 24, and thereby operate theswitch-tongue through the medium of the crank 15 and connectingmechanism. Should, however, it be desired to throw the switchmechanically, the pedal 22 is depressed by suitable means, as by aroller or the like adjustably mounted on the car, as heretofore setforth. Thus in case the electrical connections should get out of orderand the electromagnet fail to act the motorman noticing that the switchdoes not operate as the car passes the insulated railsection can thenapp y the means adopted to depress the pedal mechanically.

This switch-operating device is simple of construction, has few partslikely to get out of order, and is positive in action. Furthermore, itpossesses marked advantages in the arrangement of the parts foroperation by either mechanical or electrical contrivances.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United'States of America, is

1. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated, the combinationwith a swingingly-mounted switch-tongue, of a notched Wheel operatingthe said tongue, a pawl-andratchet mechanism connected to the wheel foroperating the same, and a stop moved by the pawl-and-ratchet mechanismto engage in the notches and retard the rotation of said wheel,substantially as described.

2. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated, the combinationwith a pivotally-mounted switching-tongue, of an arm projectinglaterally from said tongue, a lug pivotally mounted on said arm, a rodslidably engaged with said ing, a coil-spring on the rod at each side ofsaid lug, and nuts adjustably fixed on said rod and confining saidsprings against the lug.

3. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated; the combinationwith a reciprocally-mounted tongue, and an operativelymounted pedal; ofa rotatably-mounted crank operatively connected to said tongue, andspring-retracted paWl-and-ratchet mechanism op'erativelyconnected tosaid pedal and crank.

4:. In a switch operating device of the nature indicated; thecombination with a reciprocally-mounted tongue, and anoperativelymounted pedal; of a crank operably connected to said tongueand arranged for rotation about a vertical axis, a horizontally-disposeddrive-shaft, bevel-gears connecting said shaft and crank, and springretracted pawl-andratchet mechanism operatively connected to said shaftand pedal.

5. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated; the combinationwith a reciprocally-mounted tongue, and an operativelymounted pedal; ofa crank operatively connected to said tongue, a drive-shaft, gearsconnecting said shaft and crank, a ratchet- Wheel fixedly mounted onsaid shaft, a pawlcarrier rotatably mounted on said shatt,a pawl pivotedon said carrier, and spring-retracted mechanism operatively connectingsaid carrier and pedal;

6. In a switclroperating device of the nature indicated; the combinationwith'a reciprocally-mounted tongue and rotatably-mou nted crankoperatively connected to said tongue; of a drive-shaft operativelyconnected to said crank, a ratchet-Wheel fixedly mounted on said shaft,a pawl-carrier rotatably mounted on said shaft, a pawl pivoted on saidcarrier,

a pivotally-mounted spring-retracted lever, a

bar pivotally connected to said carrier and lever, and means tointermittently operate said lever against spring action.

7. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated; the combinationwith a driveshaft,a ratchet-wheel fixedly mounted on said shaft, apawl-carrier rotatably mounted on said shaft, and a pawl'pivoted on saidcarrier; of a pivotallymounted spring-retracted angle-lever, a barpivotally connected to said carrier and to one end of said lever, apedal comprising apivotally-mounted bell-crank and a pressure-plate, asecond bell-crank pivotally mounted intermediate said pedal andangle-lever, a rod pivotally connected to said pedal-crank andintermediate crank, and a link pivotally connected to the intermediatecrank and to said angle-lever.

8. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated; the combinationof a reciprocally-mounted switching-tongue having a laterallyprojectingarm and a lug pivotally mounted on said arm, a rotatablymounted crank, aconnecting-rod engaged with said crank and slidably engaged with saidlug, coiled springs on said rod at each side of the lug, nuts adjustablymounted on said rod and confining said springs against said lug, adrive-shaft, gears connecting said shaft and crank, a ratchetwheel fixedon the shaft, a pawl-carrier rotatably mounted on said shaft, a pawl onthe carrier, a pivotallymounted spring-retracted angle-lever, a barpivoted to said lever and carrier, a pedal and means to operativelyconnect said pedal and lever.

In an electric railway, the combination with spring-retractedswitch-tongue-operating mechanism, including a reciprocallymountedbell-crank; of an armature on said crank, an electromagnet, insulatedrail-sections placed in advance of the switch, electrical conductorsleading from said sections to the magnet and from said magnet torailsections beyond the switch.

10. In an electric railway, the combination with a spring-retractedswitch-tongue-operating pedal; of an armature on said pedal, anelectromagnet, insulated rail-sections placed in advance of said pedaland switch, electrical conductors leading from, said sections to themagnet and from said magnet to railsections beyond the switch.

11. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated; thecombination With a driveshaft, a ratchet-wheel fixed thereon, areciprocal pawl-carrier, a pawl on said carrier, spring-retractedcarrier-driving means, and operative shaft-stopping means operativelyassociated with said driving means.

12, In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated; thecombination with a driveshaft, a wheel fixedly mounted thereon andhaving notches arranged at equidistant points in theperiphery,spring-retracted pawland-ratchet mechanism operativelyassociated with said shaft, and a detent related to ICC arms, a detentcomprising a rod pivotally connected to said link extending to the gearon said shaft and having a foot adapted to 15 engage said gear, andmeans to guide said foot to and from said gear.

Signed at Spokane, Washington, this 30th day of January, 1903.

JOSEPH MARION COMER.

lever, a second bell-crank having a portion of \Vitnesses: one armdisposed parallel the other arm of PETER SAUER, said lever, a linkconnecting said parallel i J. A. YVILSON.

